Comparison of small scale soil maps prepared by conventional methods and air photo-interpretation procedure

A small scale soil map for a part of Barnagar Tehsil prepared by the adoption of a systematic air photo-interpretation procedure has been compared with the soil map for the same area resulting from a previous reconnaissance soil survey using toposheets as base maps. Tt has been shown that the soil boundaries of the photo-interpretation map are both more accurate and natural in shape; delineation of gullied lands has been achieved more accurately by the A.P.I. procedure; soil erosion could be mapped more consistently and accurately through photo-interpretation. Additionally. the photo-internretation procedure achieves accurate delineation of distinctive facets of land forms because of the advantages arising from the viewing of a stereo model of the landscape; this paves the way for easier and better soil mapping in view of the correlation between landscape elements and soil patterns. Apart from the increased accuracy and diminished costs the photo-interpretation procedure will be helpful in modernising previously prepared reconnaissance soil maps.